Sheet Metal
Good Evening all,
I work in a sheet metal manufacturing facility. We operate Punch/laser combo machines as well as standalone lasers, full press brake and hardware departments with welding, assembly, powdercoating etc.
Do you guys have any use case scenarios? i recently bought a MK4 and am trying to find a place where it would belong in a manufacturing facility. not as a use product but more of a tool.
RE: Sheet Metal
For a start try maybe https://blog.prusa3d.com/3d-printed-workshop-equipment-organizing-your-stuff_61435/
See my GitHub and printables.com for some 3d stuff that you may like.
Directly? - well I have made punches to cut custom shapes from sheet lead out of printed PLA, it works well for short runs but wears out after a few dozen uses.
Indirectly, there are more possibilities. Templates and alignment jigs are fairly obvious uses as are (TPU?) spacers, connectors and shock absorbers. Don't forget that metal fdm fabrication can use the same shape files as your MK4 so design, test and refine custom fittings in plastic before sending files for stainless steel fdm...
And I am continuously being asked for fittings, replacement parts and safety covers for workshop equipment - mostly woodworking/boatbuilding but the cases are generally similar.
Cheerio,
RE: Sheet Metal
I use my printer to make support / alignment fixtures to hold parts in proper position for soldering when building models. I don't know if typical 3d printer could make such fixtures large enough for typical metal shop use.